Is Jean-Yves Thibaudet the classical pianist being overshadowed by Thibaudet the media sensation? His recent recordings have included arrangements of opera melodies, excerpts of film soundtracks, jazz, as well as more classical fare. His concert attire is designed by Vivienne Westwood, and he has homes in Paris and, of course, Los Angeles. In a recital sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Center, Thibaudet had the chance to show Washingtonians that…

The music director of the National Symphony, Leonard Slatkin, is turning 60 years old and the Kennedy Center community will be celebrating in style. The birthday celebration is doubling as the National Symphony Orchestra’s Season Opening Ball. The event is being billed as the opening event of Washington’s “autumn social calendar.” Here’s just a partial list of the musical luminaries planning on performing: Joshua Bell, Sir James Galway, Itzhak Perlman, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and everyone’s favorite…